Psych Up Live

Whether you are newly married, a middle aged couple, the identified In-Laws or the bewildered Out-Laws of an expanded family, you need to hear this show. In it, psychologist and author Dr. Geoffrey Greif draws upon his new and acclaimed book written with Dr. Michael Woolley, " In-law Relationships: Mothers, Daughters, Fathers, and Sons." Dr. Greif shares research using interviews and surveys with a total of 1,500 people to illuminate why some in-laws connect and others clash and even crash. He considers the impact of interfaith, interracial, gay and lesbian couples on in-law relationships. He examines the validity of the negative cultural stereotype of mothers-in-law and reports what mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law say. He considers what happens that is different in the relationships between male in-laws and overall offers important strategies for improving any in-law relationship.

While most think of immigration as the influx of people seeking shelter, survival and a livelihood in a land of opportunities, this story is different. Today you will hear what unfolded when in the face of a shortage of physicians in the US in the late 60's President Lyndon Johnson passed the Hart-Cellar Act which had a special provision, to supplement the physician shortage with a cadre of foreign medical graduates from South Asia and the Philippines to fill the vacancies in urban and rural centers. In the first 10 years 75,000 came. This show will bring you up close and personal to their commitment, their connections with communities, their contributions and their struggle to be recognized. Guest Eram Alam Eram Alam is an associate professor in the Department of History of Science at Harvard University. She specializes in the history of medicine, with a particular emphasis on globalization, race, migration and health during the twentieth century.

From films to novels to real life situations, we have heard the term narcissist and wondered – What are the characterizes a Narcissist? What does it mean to love a Narcissist? Rarely do we have the opportunity to learn the origins and the differences between Narcissism as a healthy sense of self-esteem and the pathology of someone with a Narcissistic Personality Disorder. In this show, psychologist and psychoanalyst, Dr. Anthony Mazzella joins us to look closer at Narcissism, its origins, ways to understand and ways to cope whether you recognize your own narcissistic behavior or the behavior of the narcissist you love and care about. Dr. Anthony Mazzella is a psychoanalyst with over 20 years of experience helping individuals and couples navigate complex personality dynamics. He specializes in psychodynamic treatment, with a focus on narcissistic and borderline presentations, using a deeply attuned, insight-oriented approach. In addition to his private practice, Dr. Mazzella is a faculty member and supervisor, mentoring the next generation of mental health professionals. He’s also the creator and host of The Narcissism Decoder, a podcast and video channel that brings complex psychoanalytic ideas to life—making them relatable, practical, and especially relevant to understanding personality disorders and relationships.

In this show relationship experts Dr. Judith Wright and Dr. Bob Wright discuss their new and interesting book, The Heart of the Fight: A Couple’s Guide to 15 Common Fights, What They Really Mean & How They Can Bring You Closer. Dispelling many of the common myths of what you need to make a relationship work, these experts suggest that conflict is a couple’s secret weapon for coming closer but you need to know how to fight and what to fight for. In a fascinating way they discuss the Art of the Argument: Six Skills for Battling to Bliss and the Fifteen Fights That Make or Break Your Relationship. From a closer look at fights like The Blame Game to You’re Just Like Your Mother/Father, you will rethink the how and why of fighting in relationships. Ultimately this is a show that will expand the potential of your relationship.

This show is for men and everyone who loves them. In it, psychotherapist, James Hawes draws upon his years of clinical experience with men and his book, The Secret Lives of Men: Ten Keys to Unlock the Mystery, to discuss the social and cultural norms that keep men trapped with feelings like unvoiced hurt, sadness, fear and shame. In his presentation he considers topics like: Feelings as a Foreign Language, Vulnerability Masked as Anger, Sex as Intimacy and Performance as the Source of Self Esteem. As you will hear in his examples and strategies for therapeutic change, James Hawes has a personal and powerful respect for men’s capacity to expand their emotional well-being. Listen in.

The amount of stress worldwide is at an all-time high as the Corona Virus spreads. Self-Care and understanding alternative ways of easing pain are important. This show takes a close look at the varied forms of Alternative Medicine from Energy Medicine, Acupuncture, Chiropractic to religious belief, embraced by millions seeking relief for chronic pain, digestive disorders, fibromyalgia etc. Our guest author, Melanie Warner draws upon her important new book, The Magic Feather Effect: The Science of Alternative Medicine and the Surprising Power of Belief, to invite us into a personal research journey which involves her meeting with clinicians, scientists, and healers world-wide, to answer questions like- Why have these Alternative Medicines become so popular? Why do some people report dramatic relief while others don’t? Can the results be subject to scientific proof? Is it the placebo effect? Do we need to recognize and use the surprising system of self-healing that belongs to us.

Violence against women is a global health issue. The threats women face today are unapparelled and more dangerous than ever before. When you add the toxic cocktail of technology and social media the danger increases. In this show, former Deputy Sheriff, Joy Farrow and Tech Engineer and trauma survivor Laura Frombach will discuss how women can avoid being victims of violence on many levels. They will discuss and exemplify how women can develop “A Safety Intuition for Defensive Living”, become “ Persuasion Proof,” “ Take a safe walk or a run,” Be aware of “Online Dating – Red Flags,” Travel “Solo and Safe,” handle “The SOS Situation,” and more. What you hear may increase your anxiety but it will empower you in many ways. Women and everyone who loves them should hear this show.

Divorce is heartbreaking and stressful for the whole family—including the kids. But, there are many ways that parents can support their children as they navigate this family transition. From telling the children they will separate, to nesting, and supporting two loving households, to the five stages of divorce grief for children to How to deal with an uncooperative Ex, Oona Metz, author of Unhitched: The Essential Divorce Guide for Women will discuss some of the most vital ways for parents to help their children through transitioning from one home to two. Oona Metz, LICSW, CGP is a nationally recognized therapist, writer, and speaker who specializes in treating women navigating divorce. With over thirty years of clinical experience, Oona leads four weekly Divorce Support Groups, and is the founder of The Beacon Group Fellowship which trains mental health clinicians throughout the country to lead divorce support groups. Oona has published essays in Psychotherapy Networker, Cognoscenti, Social Work Voice, Social Work Advocates and other outlets. Her book Unhitched: The Essential Divorce Guide for Women (Simon & Schuster) will be available in bookstores in January 2026. She lives near Boston, Massachusetts, with her partner and a handful of pets. Her young adult children have flown the coop but visit often.

In her new and important book “ Never Say Never- Never Say Always,” Susan Warner invites us to take the journey no one wants to take, but too many have faced. Susan takes us from a family love story to the devastating losses of a son and a spouse within 6 months. She puts words to the insider story of traumatic loss in a way that will touches anyone who has suffered loss. As you will hear in daily details, relationships with family and friends, tears in a closet, emptiness in a house, the difficulty of eating alone, the enduring presence of her son and spouse and the question of ever loving again– she lets us in. Susan shares a journey to acceptance, pushing on and not being defined by societal norms. It is a journey of self-discovery, self-actualization and ultimately working to live her best life. This is a show about loss, possibility and love.

There are few people who have been injured or wronged by another who don’t think about and want to mollify their psychic pain with revenge. In this episode, Dr. Steven Berglas, professor, psychotherapist, research scientist and executive coach invites us to consider “ Taking Revenge – A Better Way.” The author of award winning books, 70 articles and journal reports on cures of self-defeating behavior, Dr. Berglas discusses the personal cost of angry retaliation and the power of redirecting the brain’s reaction to danger. With a wealth of professional experience and powerful examples, Dr. Berglas discusses the ways in which revenge seeking fuels rumination, increased anger, isolation, physical and emotional pain. It traps us and intensifies the original assault. Dr. Berglas demonstrates how to cope with the psychic pain that prompts revenge with a shift of mindset to achievement striving, to the possible, to missions that undue atrocity, to healing and to growth.

This Show offers a powerful and eye-opening consideration of medical care for marginalized people. Whether from a patient’s perspective or the perspective of those who serve as medical caregivers, you will find Dr. Dean David Schillinger’s TELLTALE HEARTS to be an extraordinary book and Dr. Schillinger to be an extraordinary person. What Dr. Schillinger offers is the gift of his own story in tandem with the unexpected, tragic, impressive and heart-breaking stories of his patients. Both sets of stories offer a glimpse of how industrialized medical systems can be dangerous for patients who are misunderstood, stereotyped and overlooked and for doctors who are struggling with burn-out, bias and at times frustration and despair. What Dr. Schillinger believes, and shares is the power of the patient’s narrative. He exemplifies that when a patient is invited to be known, to tell their story, to be seen and respected– treatment and healing often become possible. Dr. Schillinger’s description of his journey and his relationship with patients who dare to share and be known is medically and socially invaluable.

While we hear the news and read the headlines of Fires, Accidents and Disaster, rarely do we understand the day to day, often hour to hour impact on those who serve as our First Responders. Those who hope at times to get a few hours of sleep before the next call. In this show Jim Burneka Jr., draws upon his powerful and revealing new book, Overcoming Tuesday to bring us into his journey - his commitment, his trauma and its impact on his life. Importantly he shares not only the denial of physical and emotional suffering common to First Responders, he brings us up close and personal to his struggle to recover, heal and unlock his resilience. A seasoned host of his own webcast podcast “APS Radio,” Jim Burneka is someone you will want to hear. Listen In.

In the US an estimated 20 million people have problems with alcohol and/or other drugs. Some seek help, many try to stop on their own terms but can’t, many never stop. In this show, Dr. Geoff Kane, who has helped people understand and cope with substance use disorders for more than 50 years, brings his expertise to Psych Up live to benefit our national and international listeners. Board certified in Internal Medicine and Addiction Medicine, and a Distinguished Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine, Dr. Kane will be drawing upon his experience and his important book, The Two Pillars of Recovery Workbook: What People with Addiction Need to Know and Do for Lasting Sobriety. He will be clarifying the nature of alcoholism and drug addiction, underscoring what makes it so compelling and destructive and discussing the two essential factors that make sobriety and the end of drug addiction possible.

Whether you are someone who loves city living or would love the chance to go back to living in nature on a farm overlooking fields, you will be enthralled with Tamara Dean’s telling of her re-location to the Driftless Area of Wisconsin. Together with her partner David, she shares the challenges, wonders and strenuous daily work of a life embedded in nature. From building their own farmhouse, hunting for water, to burning a hayfield to recreate a prairie you will be in awe of the challenges they face. You will also hear of the bonds with neighbors that are clearly different when dealing with fires, floods, beavers and tornadoes. A fiction writer, Tamara in this book shares the reality of pain and power of nature in a way most of us have never experienced. Listen in. Guest: Tamara Dean Tamara Dean is a writer whose essays and stories have been published in The American Scholar, The Georgia Review, The Guardian, One Story, Orion and The Progressive. She is also the author of an earlier book, The Human- Powered Home: Choosing Muscles over Motors. Tamara has been camping, fishing, hiking and gathering foods from an early age led by parents who grew up on farms in Wisconsin and had the opportunity to go to college and move to a small city. Her understanding and love of nature is a part of who she is.

“Till Divorce Do Us Part – Coping with Divorce” While there are a little less than 50% of couples divorcing, the United States is still home to the most divorces. According to the CDC the current nationwide divorce rate is 42%. Well beyond the numbers are the people, the families, the children, the lawyers, the feelings, losses, trauma and possibilities that may come with divorce. Today we will be considering strategies, steps and the resilience that will help anyone dealing with divorce. Oona Metz, LICSW, CGP is a nationally recognized therapist, writer, and speaker who specializes in treating women navigating divorce. With over thirty years of clinical experience, Oona leads four weekly Divorce Support Groups, and is the founder of The Beacon Group Fellowship which trains mental health clinicians throughout the country to lead divorce support groups. Oona has published essays in Psychotherapy Networker, Cognoscenti, Social Work Voice, Social Work Advocates and other outlets. Her book Unhitched: The Essential Divorce Guide for Women (Simon & Schuster) will be available in bookstores in January 2026. She lives near Boston, Massachusetts, with her partner and a handful of pets. Her young adult children have flown the coop but visit.

In this show Dr Avi Bhar will offer listeners an understanding of insomnia and its manifestations, and why medications don’t always work. The show will offer an understanding of the basics of good sleep. It will unravel the insomnia diagnosis from insomnia as a symptom and underscore the danger of immediately treating insomnia with a sedative. Too often people do not get any sleep evaluation once they utter the word ‘insomnia’ to a provider. Rather than being prescribed a pill or a CBT program, Dr. Bhar invites a closer understanding of the reasons many people struggle with sleep and what might help them. Dr. Avi Bhar MD Dr. Bhar is a fellowship-trained and board-certified in sleep and pulmonary medicine. He has been in practice for over seven years following the completion of his fellowships at Washington University in St Louis and the University of Tennessee, Memphis. Recognizing the shortcomings of the U.S. healthcare system and the opportunities made possible by advances in mobile technology, Dr. Avinesh Bhar left his office-based practice in 2019 to focus on establishing a telemedicine practice founded on high-value and personalized, convenient and cost-effective sleep and pulmonary care. He has Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, International Medical University and has Board Certification, at New York Medical Center of Queens, University of Tennessee (Memphis, Washington University of St Louis.

What if you could use 14 Simple Ways to Improve Your Life with Brain Science? You can. In this show, Dr. Therese Huston returns to Psych Up Live with her new book “Sharp” - a little book that can play a very big role is your everyday success. Across the age spectrum people want to focus better, remember more, handle stress, bias, cope with pain, stay healthy and unlock their full potential. Dr. Huston guides us. She has already done the research and captured what we need to know and do to be more focused and productive often with 10 minute (sometimes 5 minute) strategies. Whether you want to feel more effective at work, with family or in achieving your personal goals- Listen in. THERESE HUSTON, PH.D., is a cognitive neuroscientist and Faculty Development Consultant at Seattle University. She was the founding director of the university’s Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning and is now a consultant for its Center for Faculty Development. Therese is the author of previous books: Let’s Talk: Make Effective Feedback Your Superpower; How Women Decide; and Teaching What You Don’t Know. She has been interviewed on Harpers Bazaar and Goop for Let’s Talk, and has written for TIME, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Harvard Business Review and The Guardian. Therese has led workshops and presentations to Fortune 500 companies, start-ups and universities world-wide. She now lives in Seattle with her husband and their dog.

This show is for men and everyone who loves them. In it, psychotherapist, James Hawes draws upon his years of clinical experience with men and his book, The Secret Lives of Men: Ten Keys to Unlock the Mystery, to discuss the social and cultural norms that keep men trapped with feelings like unvoiced hurt, sadness, fear and shame. In his presentation he considers topics like: Feelings as a Foreign Language, Vulnerability Masked as Anger, Sex as Intimacy and Performance as the Source of Self Esteem. As you will hear in his examples and strategies for therapeutic change, James Hawes has a personal and powerful respect for men’s capacity to expand their emotional well-being. Listen in.

Whether you are newly married, a middle aged couple, the identified In-Laws or the bewildered Out-Laws of an expanded family, you need to hear this show. In it, psychologist and author Dr. Geoffrey Greif draws upon his new and acclaimed book written with Dr. Michael Woolley, “ In-law Relationships: Mothers, Daughters, Fathers, and Sons.” Dr. Greif shares research using interviews and surveys with a total of 1,500 people to illuminate why some in-laws connect and others clash and even crash. He considers the impact of interfaith, interracial, gay and lesbian couples on in-law relationships. He examines the validity of the negative cultural stereotype of mothers-in-law and reports what mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law say. He considers what happens that is different in the relationships between male in-laws and overall offers important strategies for improving any in-law relationship.

In this episode, Dr. Pauline Boss, esteemed scientist practitioner who coined the term 'Ambiguous Loss,' discusses the meaning of Ambiguous Loss and how it differs from other losses. Drawing upon powerful examples, Dr. Boss discusses physical ambiguous loss and psychological ambiguous loss due to dementia from disease, brain injury etc. She clarifies that Ambiguous Loss is not a result of pathology, but rather the ambiguity of the circumstances of loss. Using examples like the families of 9-11 she describes the understandable impact on a family when a parent is gone but loss cannot be substantiated. With the aim of building resilience rather than pathologizing, Dr. Boss discusses the Psychological Family, the Family Narrative and the ability to engage Dialectical Thinking - 'my husband is both absent and present in our hearts and minds.' Dr. Boss references Victor Frankel’s Importance Of Finding Meaning, Adjusting Mastery Up Or Down and discovering 'New Hope' by risking change.